Abstract: An electronic camera which focuses images of an object on the image plane by means of suitable lenses such as those employed in 35mm cameras. The optical system is held stationary while a self-scanning linear array, comprised of a row of light-sensitive devices, is moved a measured distance in the image plane. The linear array is continuously clocked as it is moved along the image plane. The resulting video signal output is a train of pulses, each proportional in magnitude to the light intensity falling on the corresponding light-sensitive device. An internal line-filament light source moves in synchronism with the linear array so that only the image slice being viewed by the array at any instant of time as it traverses the image field is being illuminated. The light source is directed onto the object plane through a beam splitter so that the light shines through the optical axis of the lens for maximum efficiency.

Abstract: A self-scanning linear array (10) is moved (12) in the image plane of a lens to thereby scan the image of an object which has been focused in the image plane. A random access controller controls random access to the information within the scanned image. Commands (14) including mechanical positional parameters (16) and electronic scan parameters (18) are decoded by the master microprocessor (20). The electronic scan parameters in the command provide information such as a user selected transverse axis frame size scan output of the array. An address generator (22) generates addresses in response to output pulses from the array. A windowing sequencer (24) in conjunction with the address generator (22) selectively gates particular ones of the pulses in the train of output pulses from the array in accordance with the electronic scan parameters in the command.

Abstract: An electronic camera in which a linear array (10), comprised of a row of light-sensitive devices, is mechanically moved in the image plane while being electronically scanned orthogonally to the direction of movement to capture the image. The array (10) is held in the image plane of a lens by a carriage (14) onto which the array is attached. One end of a flexible band (18) is connected to one end (20) of the carriage (14). The flexible band (18) is partially wrapped around a capstan (30) and a turnaround idler wheel (32). The other end of the flexible band (18) is connected to other end (24) of the carriage (14). A motor (34) drives the capstan (30) through a reduction gear to cause the flexible band (18) to move and thereby cause relative motion between the array and the lens.

Abstract: A disk drive that generates a smooth spiral during the recording of data so that the recording operation is continuous. A magnetic read/write head (2) is mounted on an arm (4) so that it can move generally along a radius of a disk (8). A rotary motor (12) is used to spin the disk and to drive a gear train. The output of the gear train is used to move the arm-mounted head across the disk. The pitch of the spiral generated is controlled by the relative gear ratio between the disk and the head mechanism. Rapid retrace of the head mechanism to its starting position is accomplished by placing a return spring (56) on the head mechanism and a clutch (42) in the gear train. The location of the clutch in the gear train is chosen so that the head mechanism, while being returned to the starting position under spring power, spins a neutral pitch fan (102). The energy dissipated by churning the air by the fan limits the peak velocity of the head mechanism.

Abstract: A disk drive having a head actuator that is capable of quick, fine adjustments in position of the transducing head in order to precisely follow data tracks. A magnetic read/write head (2) is mounted on a first arm (4) so that it can move generally along a radius of a disk (8). A rotary motor (12) is used to spin the disk. A primary motor (36) in conjunction with a cable (42) and drum (40) is used to move the arm-mounted head in coarse movements across the disk. A secondary motor (32) in conjunction with a second arm (34) is used to move the arm-mounted head in fine movements across the disk. The primary motor may be used for track jumping, while the secondary motor may be used for track following.

Abstract: A playback head (155) is moved across a recording medium (151) orthogonally to a data track by playback head-moving means (157, 159, and 161), said data track being independently moved so that previously-recorded data is sequentially recovered. An electrical signal, which bears a direct relationship to the velocity of the head-moving means, is produced by a position sensor affixed to the head-moving means and a differentiator (169). Said signal is used to close a velocity loop, through a summing junction (171) and a power amplifier (173), around the head-moving means. The playback head is moved in addition, at a relatively high frequency, by dithering means which causes an amount of head motion that is small with respect to the width of the data track. The dither motion causes an amplitude modulation of the signal being recovered from the data track by the playback head.

Abstract: A high-resolution, electronic camera with real-time storage capability. The image at the focal plane of a lens (5) is electronically scanned in one direction by a linear photodiode array (1), and in the orthogonal direction by a carriage (3), motor (17), and leadscrew (13) subassembly which mechanically moves the array with respect to the lens. The motion of the array is directly translated into comparable relative motion of a recording head (19) with respect to a recording media (21) so that scanned pixel information is recorded on the media (21) concurrently with its generation.

Abstract: An apparatus for the very precise centering of a flexible recording disk (2) onto a disk-drive spindle (8), for clamping it firmly for spinning, and for the easy removal thereof. Disk (2) is provided with a reinforced center hole (4) so that it can be manufactured to a tight tolerance. Spindle (8) is provided with a precision-alignment cylinder (12) over which the disk must slide in order to rest on a spindle seat (6). Once disk (2) is resting on spindle seat (6), it is clamped there by a self-aligning, rotatable spindle cap (24), which is brought down on top of the disk. The disk is centered for sliding along the alignment cylinder through the action of a conical surface on cone (14). The cone (14) in its entirety may be part of spindle (8), or alternatively, in order to facilitate insertion and removal of the disk, part of the cone may be integral to the clamping-spindle cap (24), or be a retractable plug.

Abstract: Selective copying apparatus wherein selected portions of a source document are copied onto a copy paper at any position on the copy paper and wherein information is deleted or inserted by the user from an input keyboard. A manually-operated portable scanner is used by the operator to scan a selected portion of the document by placing the scanner at the desired line position and moving the scanner across the document. The scanned image is converted into digital data. A copier responds to the digital data and copies the scanned image onto a copy paper at a line position which is also selected by the operator. Thus, the image selected by the operator on the source document is reproduced at a position on the copy paper which is also separately selected by the operator.